Multiple-pane surface mounted frame arrangement

ABSTRACT

A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein. The frame assembly comprises an arrangement of multiple graphic display receiving support rails connected to at least one loading rail. The rails are joined by an “L” shaped connector at the outer corners thereof, wherein at least one internal rail is connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of rails to peripherally support a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly. The support rails and the internal rail each have extensive support flanges for supportive guided receipt of a graphic display panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to elongated frame members and more particularly to a four sided frame structure which includes a central member which permits the structure to be divided into multiple display panes, and is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application serial number 12/(Rose-39) and of design application Ser. No. 29/349,668, filed 20^(th) of April 2010 each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Slide in sign frames generally come in two types. One type may be a double-sided sign or graphic arrangement by which the sign may be displayed on both sides thereof and suspended from a ceiling or held up by a post or other rigid support. The other type of sign would be a one-sided sign which would be placed against a flat surface such as a wall, a fixture, a cabinet or other surface for single sided viewing. Such single sided frame arrangements typically utilize the same frame as two-sided viewing, which usually has a symmetrical shape and is not ideal for permanent mounting. Changing the signs in these frames is difficult because they are designed for changing signs with access to both sides of the frame. Further, multiple graphics may be desired the use of which takes advantage of the ease of display change capabilities.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame arrangement which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame arrangement which may readily mate against a flat surface while still readily permitting a graphic exchange.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame arrangement which may display multiple graphics within a common outer frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a unique frame assembly for presenting a plurality of graphic display panels therewithin. The frame assembly comprises an elongated outer support rail on at least two sides thereof, and at least one loading rail. In one embodiment, a pair of elongated support rails is connected linearly to one another at a third edge thereof. Each support rail is also connected at their respective other end to its neighboring side rail by an L-shaped bracket inserted therebetween. The fourth side of the frame assembly comprises a pair of linearly connected elongated loading rails. The pair of loading rails are connected at their adjacent ends to the side branches of a T-shaped connector bracket. The opposing outer support rails of the frame assembly are similarly joined at their adjacent ends to the side branches of a similar T-shaped connector bracket.

The frame assembly is divided into multiple panes by an internal rail, each end of which is connected to the stem of the respective T-shaped brackets which mate the loading rails and the outer support rails together.

Each elongated outer support rail comprises an elongated front face of generally C shaped configuration in cross section. The front face has a linear front leg. The front face has a rear edge which extends into a generally L-shaped rear leg. A front wall and a rear wall extend inwardly from the front face, and is co-formed with an inside bridge connecting the front wall and the rear wall therewithin. An elongated central connector web extends from a lower side of the inside bridge and is coextruded with an elongated extended flange. The extended flange is generally parallel to the plane of the inside bridge. The elongated central connector web which connects the inside bridge to be extended flange is preferably parallel to the L shaped rear edge of the front face. The extended flange has an elongated first edge which extends distally beyond the front edge or leg of the front face of the support bracket or rail. An elongated central passageway is disposed on the inside edge of the front face and the inside bridge, and the front wall and the rear wall, so as to form a corner bracket receiving channel.

Each of the loading rails which extend across the uppermost edge of the four sided frame assembly comprises an elongated front face of, for example, generally “C” shape in cross section. A front wall and a rear wall extend inwardly away from the curved front face and are connected to one another by an inside bridge, generally similar to the outer support bracket or rail described herein above. The elongated front face has an elongated front edge and elongated rear edge which define the outer side parameters thereof. The inside bridge and the front wall and the rear wall and the inner side of the front face defines a receiving channel for the side branches of a “T”-shaped connector bracket.

The four sided frame assembly is divided into multiple panes by the four sided frame assembly having at least one elongated extruded central bracket extending thereacross. The elongated central bracket is comprised of a curvilinear outer face of generally “C” shape in cross-section, having an elongated first edge and an elongated second edge. The front face has a first wall and a second wall which are connected by an inside bridge generally similar to the loading rail or bracket described hereinabove. An elongated central connector is formed with the inside bridge at a mid-point thereof.

The central connector has a lower edge which is formed with a first extensive flange and a second extensive flange formed therewith. The first extensive flange has a first edge which extends distally beyond the first edge of the front face of the central bracket. The second extensive flange of the central bracket has a second edge which extends distally beyond the second edge of the front face of the central bracket. The first and second walls and the inside bridge arranged on the inner side of the front face of the connector bracket form a connector bracket receiving channel. The connector bracket receiving channel of the elongated central bracket is arranged to receive the inwardly directed stem components of the “T”-shaped connector brackets connecting the upper loading rails or brackets and the elongated lower support rails.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges of the side support rails end of the lower edge support rails may have an adhesive coating to their lowermost surfaces, so that the four sided frame assembly may be adhesively joined in a more or less permanent manner, to a wall or display arrangement as needed. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges of the side and lower support rails or brackets may have holes for threaded attachment members into a wall or display support, as needed.

The invention thus comprises in one aspect thereof, a four sided graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein. The frame assembly comprises a rectilinear arrangement of multiple graphic display receiving support rails connected to a horizontally disposed loading rail arrangement, the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at corners thereof.

A central bracket arrangement is connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly, the support rails and the central bracket arrangement each having extensive flanges for guided receipt of a graphic display panel. Each support rail has a front face and has a first edge thereon wherein the extensive flanges extended distally beyond the first edge of the front face.

The invention also comprises a graphic receiving this frame assembly wherein the support rails have a frame enhancing outer edge. The frame enhancing outer edge is of “L” shape in cross shape. The at least one internal rail preferably has a pair of graphic display restraining outer edges. The at least one internal rail has an outer face of, for example, generally “C” shape. The support rails and the at least one internal rail have a connector bracket receiving channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The loading rail comprises a curvilinearly-shaped in cross-section front face and a connector bracket receiving channel defined by an elongated front wall and an elongated rear wall joined by an elongated bridge member.

A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein, the frame assembly comprising: a plurality of graphic display receiving outer support rails connected to at least one loading rail, the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at outer corners thereof, the outer support rails having an inwardly directed graphic display support flange; at least one internal rail connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly, the at least one internal rail having a pair of parallel, oppositely extending graphic display support flanges for supportive guided receipt of at least a pair of graphic display panels received between the outer support rails and the at least one internal rail.

A graphic display disposed in a particular pane within the frame assembly, is hence supported on its rear or back side by flanges extending beyond the distal outer edge of its respective front face, on three sides of that graphic display, and is open to a wall space on its pane loading side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the four sided frame assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an elongated side or lower edge support rail or bracket;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the elongated support rail used for the sides and lower portions of the frame assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the elongated extruded loading rail or bracket;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elongated central bracket which divides the four sided frame assembly into multiple panes therewithin;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the elongated central bracket displayed in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a corner connector for connecting adjacent rails together in a corner of the frame assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a “T” shaped connector for connecting three rails together; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an “X” shaped connector for connecting at least four rails together at a common point.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown the present invention, which comprises a unique frame assembly 10 for presenting a plurality of peripherally supported graphic display panels “G” therewithin. The display panels “G” are represented as being manually displacable/replacable by the arrows “M” shown thereadjacent. The frame assembly 10, of four sided configuration shown here, comprises at least one elongated outer (side) support rail 12 at opposite parallel sides thereof, and a pair of elongated (lower) outer support rails 14 connected linearly to one another at a third edge thereof, as represented in FIG. 1, by a “T” shaped connector bracket 22, as shown in FIG. 7. Each bottom support rail 14 is also connected at their respective other end to its neighboring side rail 12 by an “L” shaped bracket 16 connectively inserted therebetween, as shown in FIG. 6. The fourth or upper side of the frame assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, is comprised of a pair of linearly connected elongated loading rails 18, in one aspect of the present invention, arranged along the upper or top edge as represented in the figures. Such loading rails 18, may in other embodiments, (not shown for clarity of the figures), be arranged as side rails or an inner rail. In one preferred embodiment, the loading rails 18 are connected to their respective outer support rails 12, by those “L” shaped connector brackets 16, as well. The linear pair of loading rails 18 are connected at their adjacent ends to the side branches 20 of a “T”-shaped connector bracket 22. The outer support rails or brackets 14 of the frame assembly 10 are similarly joined at their adjacent ends to the side branches 20 of a similar T-shaped connector bracket 22.

The frame assembly 10 is divided into multiple (at least two) panes “A” and “B”, by one or more internal rails 26, each end of which is connected to the stem 28 of the respective T-shaped brackets 22 which mate the loading rails 18 and the lower support rails 14 together. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly 10 may be divided into four or more panes, not shown for clarity, with the rails intersecting being connecting together by an “X” shaped bracket 25, as shown in FIG. 8.

Each elongated outer rail 12 and outer rail 14 comprise an extruded elongated “outwardly facing” front face 30 of generally “C” shaped configuration in cross section, as commonly represented in FIG. 2. The front face 30 has a linearly extending display restraining front edge 32 as shown best in FIG. 2A. The front face 30 has a frame enhancing rear edge 34 which extends into a generally L-shaped rear leg 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The front face 30 is represented as “C” shaped, but in other aspects of this invention, could be of rectilinear or any other desired configuration, (not shown for clarity of viewing). A front wall 38 and a rear wall 40 extend inwardly from the front face 30, and is/are co-formed with an inside bridge 42 connecting the front 38 wall and the rear wall 40 therewithin. An elongated central connector web 44 extends from a lower side of the inside bridge 42 and is coextruded with an elongated extended support flange 46. The extended support flange 46 is generally parallel to the plane of the inside bridge 42. The elongated central connector web 44 which connects the inside bridge 42 to be extended support flange 46 is preferably parallel to the “L” shaped rear edge 36 of the front face 30. The extended support flange 46 has an elongated first edge 48 which extends distally beyond the front edge 32 of the front face 30 of the support bracket or rail 12/14.

An elongated central passageway 50 is disposed between the inside portion of the front face 30 and the inside bridge 42, and the front wall 38 and the rear wall 40, so that passageway 50 forms a corner bracket receiving channel for engagingly receiving the legs 16A of the connector bracket 16 shown in FIG. 6.

The loading rails 18 which extend across the uppermost edge of the four sided frame assembly 10, comprises an elongated front face 60 of generally “C” shape in cross section, as shown in FIG. 3. A front wall 62 and a rear wall 64 extend inwardly away from the curved front face 60 and are connected to one another by an inside bridge 66, generally similar to the outer support bracket or rail 12/14 described hereinabove. The inside bridge 66 is, (when the rails are fully assembled into the frame assembly 10), displaced from or spaced apart from the wall “W”, as represented in FIG. 3, so as to permit a graphic “G” to be inserted/removed between the bridge 66 of the loading rail 18 and the wall “W”.

The elongated front face 60 has an elongated front edge 68 and elongated rear edge 70 which define the outer side parameters thereof. The inside bridge 66 and the front wall 62 and the rear wall 64 and the inner side of the front face 60 defines a receiving channel 72 for connectively receiving the linearly aligned side branches 20 of the T-shaped connector bracket 22, which is shown in FIG. 7. The graphic display “G” being inserted/remover between the loading rail 18 and the wall “W”, as represented in FIG. 3. The loading rail 18 may be disposed at an upper portion of the assembly 10 as represented in FIG. 1, or the loading rail(s) 18 may be at a right or left side of the frame assembly 10, or alternatively, along an internal portion of the assembly 10.

The four sided frame assembly 10 is divided into multiple panes (A&B) by the four sided frame assembly 10 having at least one elongated internal rail 26 extending thereacross, as shown in FIG. 1. The elongated internal rail 26, shown in cross-section in FIG. 5 and shown in perspective in FIG. 4, is comprised of a curvilinear outer front face 80 of generally “C” shape in cross-section, having an elongated graphic-display-restraining first edge 82 and an elongated graphic-display-restraining second edge 84. The front face 80 has a first wall 86 and a second wall 88 which are connected by an inside bridge 90 generally similar to the loading rail or bracket 18 described hereinabove. An elongated central connector web 92 is formed with the inside bridge 90 at a mid-point thereof. The central connector web 92 has a lower edge 94 which is commonly formed into an inverted “T” shape, as shown in FIG. 5, with a first extensive flange 96 and a second extensive flange 98 formed therewith. The first extensive flange 96 has a first edge 100 which extends graphic display supportively distally beyond the first edge 82 of the front face 80 of the central bracket 26 as shown in FIG. 5. The second extensive flange 98 of the internal rail 26 has a second edge 102 which extends graphic display supportively distally beyond the second edge 84 of the front face 80 of the internal rail 26.

The first and second walls 86 and 88 and the inside bridge 90 arranged on the inner side of the front face 80 of the internal rail 26 form a connector bracket receiving channel 106. The connector bracket receiving channel 106 of the elongated internal rail 26 is arranged to receive the inwardly directed stem components 28 of the T-shaped connector brackets 22, as shown in FIG. 7, or for receiving a leg 25A of an X shaped connector brackets, as shown in FIG. 8 in other configurations, not shown for clarity, connecting the upper loading rails or brackets 18 and the elongated lower support rails 14.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges of the side support rails end of the lower edge support rails may have an adhesive coating “S” to their lowermost surfaces, as represented in FIG. 2, so that the four sided frame assembly may be adhesively joined in a more or less permanent manner, to a wall or display arrangement “W” as needed, and as represented in FIG. 1.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges 46 of the side and lower support rails and or brackets 12 and 14 may have holes 110 for threaded attachment members into a wall or display support “W”, as needed. 

1. A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein, the frame assembly comprising: an arrangement of multiple graphic display receiving support rails connected to at least one loading rail, the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at outer corners thereof; at least one internal rail connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of rails to peripherally support a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly, the support rails and the internal rail each having extensive support flanges for supportive guided receipt of a graphic display panel.
 2. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each support rail has a front face and has a first edge thereon and wherein the extensive support flanges extend distally beyond the first edge of the front face.
 3. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each internal rail has a front face and has a first edge and a second edge thereon, and wherein the extensive flanges extend graphic display supportively distally beyond the first and second edges of the front face.
 4. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the support rails have a frame enhancing outer edge.
 5. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the frame enhancing outer edge is of “L” shape in cross shape.
 6. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one internal rail has a pair of graphic display restraining outer edges.
 7. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one internal rail has an outer face of generally “C” shape.
 8. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the support rails and the at least one internal rail have a connector bracket receiving channel extending longitudinally therethrough.
 9. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the loading rail comprises a curvilinearly-shaped in cross-section front face and a connector bracket receiving channel defined by an elongated front wall and an elongated rear wall joined by an elongated bridge member.
 10. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the elongated bridge member is spaced apart from a wall when the frame assembly is fully assembled.
 11. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the loading rail is arranged across the upper side of the frame assembly.
 12. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the loading rail is arranged along a side portion of the frame assembly.
 13. The graphic receiving this frame assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the loading rail is arranged along a mid-portion if the frame assembly so as to divide the frame assembly into multiple pane portions.
 14. A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein, the frame assembly comprising: a plurality of graphic display receiving outer support rails connected to at least one loading rail, wherein the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at outer corners thereof, the outer support rails having an inwardly directed graphic display support flange; at least one internal rail connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of peripherally supported display panels within the frame assembly, the at least one internal rail having a pair of parallel, oppositely extending graphic display support flanges for supportive guided receipt of at least a pair of graphic display panels received between the outer support rails and the at least one internal rail.
 15. The graphic receiving frame assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one loading rail is arranged along an upper portion of the frame assembly.
 16. The graphic receiving frame assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one loading rail is arranged along a side portion of the frame assembly.
 17. A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein, the frame assembly comprising: a plurality of graphic display receiving outer support rails connected to at least one loading rail, the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at outer corners thereof, the outer support rails having an inwardly directed graphic display support flange; and at least one internal rail connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of peripherally supported display panels within the frame assembly, the at least one internal rail having a pair of parallel, oppositely extending graphic display support flanges for wall displaced, supportive guided receipt of at least a pair of graphic display panels received between the outer support rails and the at least one internal rail.
 18. The graphic display receiving frame assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the loading rail is arranged internally between upper and lower support rails. 